The North American Wife Carrying Championship drew enthusiastic crowds to the Sunday River ski resort in Maine, as over 30 couples plunged into the event with excitement and enthusiasm. Inspired by a 19th-century Finnish legend about “Ronkainen the Robber,” the event, though rooted in a controversial history, has become a celebration of teamwork and good-natured competition.
In this lively contest, participants were challenged to navigate a 254-meter course laden with obstacles like water hazards, logs, and deep mud, all while carrying their partners. The traditional Finnish event initially featured male competitors carrying women, but this unique championship has modernized the concept. Competing pairs, be they traditional couples or not, faced no gender restrictions and were free to devise their own creative costumes and carrying strategies.
The winning technique involved carrying the “wife” upside down like a backpack, allowing for optimal agility. Victorious couples received a prize awarded in the form of the “wife’s” weight in beer and five times her weight in cash. For many, like Wade and Sara Porterfield from New York, it’s the excitement and camaraderie that bring them back each year.
